YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide (Updated 2025)

The Golden Specs

Getting the size wrong leads to black bars or blurry images. Here is the cheat sheet for 2025.

• Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels (Minimum width 640 pixels).
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Standard HD format).
• File Format: JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG.
• Max File Size: 2MB limit applies to most uploads.

Why 1280x720?

Even though YouTube supports 4K video, the thumbnail player is rarely larger than 720p. Uploading a 4K image is usually overkill and might hit the 2MB file limit.

Common Mistakes

1. Using 4:3 Images: This results in ugly black bars on the sides.
2. Text too close to the edge: The bottom right corner is covered by the video timestamp. Keep that area clear!

Want to check if your favorite YouTuber is following these rules? Download their thumbnail and check the properties.